How to Start a Hydroponic Garden
Hydroponics is a way to garden without using dirt or soil. More plants can be grown, especially indoors, when there is no heavy soil to take up space. This means that the plants can survive in less space. During winter months when plants won’t grow outside, hydroponics is a great option to grow indoors.
Materials
- Seeds or starts
- Organic Fertilizer
- Hydroponics System
- Growing Medium, like Clay Pellets
- Sun Lamps
- Timer
Instructions
- Choose a style from amongst the various methods including: the hand watering, the deep water culture, ebb and flow, drip, nutrient film, wicking systems, and aeroponics. Aeroponics is the only system that does not use growing pellets because the roots simply hang it a container and are sprayed with water and nutrients every several minutes with a pump.
- Consider the types of plants you want to grow and choose one to three varieties for starters. Consider purchasing an all in one kit for growing three different kitchen herbs. The compact unit comes with built-in lights, an aquarium pump system for water and nutrient delivery, and the seeds needed to start your own indoor garden.
- Purchase organic fertilizer and mix it with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Keep light from shining on the water nutrient solution. Use an enclosed system for the water delivery system. This deters the growth of algae, which attracts funguses, flies and bugs.
- Plug the timer in and set a 16-hour light system, or set to the amount of light your plants require.
- Test the pH and the parts-per-million concentrations contained in the nutrient system water, and readjust the concentration by adding more water of nutrient to the system.